Summer Break

Each summer I take the kids to the beach. This is the third year I have taken on that amazing adventure and this time I had three kids instead of two. My ten year old niece came to enjoy the ocean. She had never been, so we all got to be part of the introduction. This is one of my favorite parts of summer. I never thought I would be one to travel alone with children, but I do it and I like it. There are always bumps in the road, I tend to get frustrated with whining and wants, the kids get frustrated with my "everything has a place" mentality. (It helps to keep me sane). However going to the beach is a highlight of the summer and I plan on continuing to make this trip every year. Maybe some day I won't be the only adult in our party. For now, though, I hold tight to God and he watches over me. And, the fun is had by all.

Asheville NC

Daycationing in Asheville; going the the Biltmore for the first time. I'm named it "the Big House" so that's what my four year old is calling it. Did you know POTUS is vactioning here this weekend? I don't know that I've ever been this close to seeing one in person. Hmmmm, vacationing with the President. Wouldn't THAT be a story for my kids at school?!!

Visitation

Sometimes the best part of visiting family is the anticipation. I realize this, but somehow I still cannot stifle the disappointment when a twelve hour drive with a four year old to a place I adore results in mostly feeling like I'd rather be home. Why is that? Why can't I just let go and enjoy? Maybe because my four year old was plagued with allergies and I felt responsible. Maybe because my 10 month old niece is growing so fast and I'm missing it. Maybe because I really don't fit in the north anymore after having been in the south over 15 years. Maybe because I was too worried about being judged and therefore was judged as being too worried. Maybe because I'm getting too old to do the long distance car thing. Maybe, just maybe, I would simply rather be home. I guess it really doesn't matter. The emotional pain stings no matter what the reason. I'll wait a couple of months, until school is over and/or a family event calls my name, then I'll do it all again. Except, maybe next time I'll fly...............

Sick or Rejuvination? Both.

My little man has been healthy this entire school year. I have actually accumulated some sick days. So, I wasn't completely bewildered when he walked into the diningroom at 10pm and preceeded to vomit all over himself and the floor. If the timing of a sick child can be good, then this was good timing. We only had a half day at school the following day, so I quickly scheduled a sub, threw some plans together and headed to bed with a cool washcloth to wipe the moderate fever away from my sweet boy's face.
We were up quite a bit in the night with pain and more vomiting, and by morning he seemed to be on the mend. After a quick jaunt to drop Sis off and set up the kids for the sub and the sub for the kids, we came home. The fact that he was recovering from a virus, was not wonderful. But, spending the day laying on the couch, giving sips of water, making dry toast, actually reading a book for pleasure, was wonderful. When he fell asleep at 4pm, I didn't attempt to wake him in fear of the night sleep being adversly affected. I let him sleep. I sent some e-mails, I read a newspaper and a magazine. I did some laundry. I cleaned the kitchen. I did some plans for next week. I read more of my pleasure book. Then the most amazing thing happened; I began to feel bored. Bored! .... Me! .... Bored! I was delighted. I haven't been bored in years. No exaggeration what so ever. I'm a single parent, teacher, 10 year church member - I never get bored. I.....was.....bored. I could have cleaned more. I could have done some more work. I decided instead, to delight in the boredom. I let it soak in to my being. And then, I smiled. Boredom can be wonderful.

The new kids in the class

This new school year has been hard. As teachers, the work is never done. There is always planning and paperwork and tweaking lessons and grading and parent meetings. Then there is the extra that the county and administration demand, and this year it is overwhelming. If I was a beginning teacher, I don't think I would be able to handle it. I would have decided this teaching idea was a bad one and gone off to find a job with more pay and less work. However, after much pushing and pulling and even some bribing, and crying tears of frustration, this class is finally pulling together as a team, and as third graders in their own way. It is simply wonderful. These new kids in my room, don't feel like the new kids anymore, they feel like my kids and I am in heaven. I wasn't sure it was going to happen this year. I was wondering if this teaching gig was over for me. I have promised myself that when I am no longer having fun, I will quit teaching and find another job. I thought it might be time. However, I called upon my ever-faithful God for a new attitude, I found some time and ways to connect with these little people, and alas, again, I am in love. These sweet, funny, smart, quirky children have stolen my heart. And, because it took a little longer than usual, I think the love may be a little stronger. Could it be I'm loving this job more? With all the demands and craziness and never-ending time crunch, I'm loving it more? I am a gluton for punishment. And loving every minute.

My daughter is so amazingly beautiful - it makes my heart freeze. Not only is she beautiful, she is truly a wonderful person! Sometimes, I get scared when I think of all the ways I want to protect her, and all the ways I can't. Can I please, please, stop time?

The crazy house

I have been attempting to remodel the main bathroom in my house. I call it the kids bathroom. I have made many changes to this house and I still forget how messy construction can be! Never does it just affect the room in which you are working. The entire house takes on the "under construction" quality. It even moves into the car. Then, my attitude morphs into one that needs some tweaking.
After the major part of the change is over, I work like a madwoman to get things back in order so my attitude can re-adjust. Things around here are looking much better.
Just in time for school to begin.

Does the construction, physical or otherwise, ever truly end? Maybe, we should pray it doesn't ever end. I would rather be changing, adjusting, cooperating, than stagnating. Things that become stagnate tend to smell eventually.